Aims and methodThe implementation of the Health of the Nation Outcomes Scales for Old Age Psychiatry services (HoNOS66+) in a National Health Service trust is described. Some preliminary data are reported for illustrative purposes.ResultsLessons learnt from this process are identified, and further work needed both on the glossary for the scales and on systems for trapping data is suggested.Clinical implicationsThese remain uncertain. It may be that HoNOS65+ will remain a purely administrative tool.